I presume you meant the HR44 receiver? The H44 receiver (HD only Genie) allows for external drives but does not have a built-in internal one.

To answer your question, no. Only one drive can be used at a given time. When the external drive is plugged in, the internal one is automatically disabled. Thus, you cannot view/watch or use the internal storage to record more. 

When the external drive is unplugged, you regain access to the internal drive and all of the older recordings you taped.

I have an H44 receiver - I would like to expand the storage by using an external drive.

H44 is the Genie Lite. It has no storage of its own. It uses a "DVR upgrade kit" (essentially a propritary hard drive) to turn it into a full Genie.

I suspect the actual model number is HR44 (the 'R' meaning it is capable of recording), which would be the 2nd generation Genie. You can use an external eSATA hard drive.

Using an external drive with the Genie, or any other HDDVR, is used instead of the internal. So you want it to be larger to be worth it. Genie has 1TB internal, old suggested external up to 4TB though no known hard cap. Regular HDDVR has 500GB internal (smaller in older models), and has a hard cap of 2TB external.

When using the external the internal storage is not deleted, just disabled. You can return to using the internal. However, the eSATA port on DirecTV boxes is delicate and not made for constant pluging and unplugging. It is meant for an external drive that stays for a long time.

Okay thanks - it is an HR44-700 receiver.  I wanted to make sure I did not lose my already recorded sports programs & you have confirmed that.  One more thing - would this external drive be compatible with an esata cable? 

Seagate Desktop 8TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Laptop And Mac, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGY8000400), Black

Sorry, no. That drive uses a different connectivity and is meant for PCs and laptops. 

You’ll need a DVRdaddy drive or WeaKnees.com has drives.

Here is a link to another 8TB drive:

https://weaknees.com/directv-hd-dvr-upgrade.php

@Mistemen1 

Unless that HDD can connect also by eSATA, the answer is no. DirecTV doesn't support using USB for external drives.

What is the best external drive with a minimum of 8TB that is esata compatible?

Can you provide me some that will work?  I will shop for it.  I want 8 TB because I like sports recordings and the ability to retain them.

Thanks

weaknees.com sells compatible Esata drives.

The link I sent earlier will bring you directly to WeaKnees where you can choose a drive for your HR44 receiver.

Thanks - those seem a little expensive.  Would this one work?

FD 8TB DVR Expander External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 & eSATA (Comes with Both USB and eSATA Cable) - Supports DirecTv, Black (DVR8KEUB) by Fantom Drives

Additional information if it helps:

• Compatible with DIRECTV HR34, HR44, HS17. See product description for compatible models
• Expand your DVR hard drive recording of up to 8,000 hours. Contact your cable box provider to make sure of its compatibility. Please contact your DVR/Cable provider to confirm external hard drive usage
• Plug and play with DVR device. Connect your DVR device with our external hard Drive (eSATA Cable included)
• Made with high quality aluminum for maximum reliability. Aluminum doubles as a heat sink to keep hard drive cool and quiet
• Comes with easy to follow instructions, DVR Expander, stand, USB 3 0 cable, and eSATA cable

Yes, it would work. However, the reviews aren’t too great and I bet that the hard drive being used is likely a cheap off-brand one and not like a Seagate or WD drive.